Rotary solenoid having a large angle of rotation

ABSTRACT

A dual rotary solenoid provided with coils each of which has an armature associated therewith for driving a shaft either clockwise or counterclockwise through predetermined angles from a predetermined position. The coils are mounted on opposing cores of magnetic material, the faces of the pole pieces of which are offset with respect to each other. The cores are shaped so that the radial air gaps between the faces of the armature and the opposing faces of the pole pieces diminish in length as the armatures are rotated to their positions of minimum air gap.

United States. Patent [191 'l augherty et a1.

[11 1' 3,321,673 June 28, 1974 ROTARY SOLENOID HAVING A LARGE ANGLE OFROTATION Inventors: Ralph K. Daugherty; Gary A.

l-lalvorsen, both of San Jose, Calif.

Assignees: Genevieve T. Hanscom; Robert Magnuson; Louis J. Thomson, allof San Jose, Calif. Trustees of the Estate of Roy M. Magnuson,decreased, part interest to each Filed: June 21, 1973 Appl. No: 372,158

us. cu. 335/267, 335/268 lint. Cl. H0lf 7/08 Field tit Search 335/272,267, 268

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1959 Buchtenkirchm: 335/272 x3,201,661 3/1965 Koutnik 335/268 X 3,221,191 11/1965 Cuches et al.335/268 X 3,229,170 1/1966 Daugherty et al. 335/272 3,234,436 2/1966Bieger 335/268 Primary Examiner-George Harris Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Allen & Chromy ABSTRACT A dual rotary solenoid provided with coilseach of which has an armature associated therewith for driving a shafteither clockwise or counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position. The coils are mounted on opposing cores ofmagnetic material, the faces of the pole pieces of which are offset withrespect to each other. The cores are shaped so that the radial air gapsbetween the faces of the armature and the opposing faces of the polepieces diminish in length as the armatures are rotated to theirpositions of minimum air gap.

5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures ROTARY SOLENOID n vmc ALARc ANGLE FROTATION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a dualrotary solenoid in which the rotary shaft may be driveneither clockwiseor counterclockwise through predetermined angles from a predeterminedposition.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary solenoidthat is capable of rotating either in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection through predetermined angles from a predetermined position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved rotarysolenoid in which the rotatable shaft thereof is provided with armaturemembers that are associated with opposing magnetic core structures, thecoils which may be energized selectively to rotate the shaft eitherclockwise or counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved rotarysolenoid of the dual type with the dual portions thereof provided with acommon shaft, said shaft having two substantially parallel armaturemembers that are associated with magnetic core structures which areprovided with coils for the selective magnetization thereof for rotatingsaid armature members 'selectively either clockwise or counterclockwise,said magnetic core structures being disposed at predetermined angleswith respect to each other.

Other and further objectsof this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification,claims and drawing.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a dual type rotarysolenoid in which the two armature members thereof are mounted on acommon shaft so that when the coils of the solenoid are selectivelyenergized the shaft may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwisethrough predetermined angles from a predetermined position. This rotarysolenoid is provided with two core structures of magnetic material whichare disposed at predetermined angles with respect to each other and areseparated by a nonmagnetic member which also acts as a stop for limitingthe angle of rotation of the armature members. Suitable coils areprovided to a magnetic core structure for magnetizing each of thesestructures selectively and provide magnetic fields to rotate thearmature members either clockwise or counterclockwise depending uponwhich coil is energized.

Further details and features of this invention will be set forth in thefollowing specification, claims and drawing in which, briefly:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a rotary solenoid of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rotary solenoid shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 3 isan axial sectional view of the rotary solenoid;

FIG. 3a is a sectional view along line 3a-3a of FIG. 3 showing one ofthe coil springs biasing the shaft in one direction;

FIG. 3b is a sectional view along line Bib-3b showing the other coilspring biasing the shaft in the other direction;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the'armature structure employed in this rotarysolenoid;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the non-magnetic ring member provided betweenthe core structures of the device; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numeral 10 designates thehousing for this rotary solenoid which includes two magnetic corestructure parts Ill and I2 that are disposed at predetermined angles toeach other and are held in spaced relation by the ring I3 that is ofnon-magnetic stainless steel or similar material. A coil 14 thatconsists of a plurality of turns of copper or similar wire is positionedon the central core piece of the core structure Ill and a similar coil16 is positioned on the central core piece 17 of magnetic core structure12.

Centrally disposed holes 115a and 17a are provided in the cores l5 and17, respectively, for receiving the elongated shaft 18, the opposite endportions of which extend out of the housing 10. Shaft 18 is supported inthe magnetic core structure by four sets of ball bearings 19, 19a, 20and 20a. Recesses are provided in end walls 21 and 22 of core structures11 and 12, respectively,

for receiving bearings l9 and 20a, respectively, and recesses areprovided in opposite end portions of the central core pieces 15 and 17for receiving the bearings 119a and 20. End wall 211 fits into theinside of the housing 10 and end wall 22 fits against the lip of thehousing which is crimped over the periphery of this end wall to closethe housing'when the device is assembled. Bearings 19a and 20 are fittedinto the core pieces 15 and I7, respectively, and bearings 19 and 20aare held in position on the shaft by suitable lock rings 23 and 24,respectively, which snap into the grooves 25 and 26, respectively,provided in the shaft 18.

I Armature members 27 and 28 are positioned on the central part of theshaft 18 on opposite sides of the nonmagnetic stop member 29 which ismade of plastic such as nylon, Delrin or the like. Suitable pins 38 and31 which extend through the armature members and through the stop member29 are provided to hold the armature structure assembled. The centralpart of the shaft 118 is provided with a plurality of grooves extendingaround the circumference thereof in axial direction with respect to theshaft and the armature members 27 and 28 are pressed onto this groovedportion of the shaft and prevented from turning with respect thereto.

The magnetically active faces of the magnetic core structures Ill and112, the ends 27a and 27b of armature 27 and the ends 28a and 28b ofarmature member 28 are shaped as described in US Pat. No. 2,950,424issued Aug. 23, 1960. Thus, the arcuate inwardly facing surfaces of thepole pieces Illa and lllb which cooperate with the ends 27a and 27b,respectively, of the armature 27 and the arcuate inwardly facingsurfaces of the pole pieces 12a and 12b which cooperate with the ends28a and 28b, respectively, of armature 28 are shaped as thecorresponding faces of the pole pieces and armature shown in thispatent. Consequently, the lengths of the air gaps between thesearmatures and the respective pole piece faces are either uniformlyincreased or decreased as the case may be when the armatures are rotatedwith respect to these faces of the pole pieces.

The ends of the core structure 11 are provided with projections 11c and11d which are adjacent to the pole faces 11a and 11b, respectively, andthese projections fit into the recesses 13a and 13b, respectively, ofthe non-magnetic ring 13 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Similar recesses 13cand 13d positioned on the opposite side of the ring angularly displacedfrom recesses 13a and 13b receive similar projections 12c and 12d,respectively, provided to the ends 12a and 12b, respectively, of thecore structure 12. Thus, the ring 13 of non-magnetic material serves tohold the ends of the core structures 11 and 12 in predetermined spacedrelation and also in predetermined angular locations with respect toeach other.'

The ring 13 is also provided with stops 13e, 13f, 13g and 13h as shownin FIG. 8, and these stops cooperate with the ends of the plastic member29 to limit the total angular travel of the armatures to a predeterminedangle. Thus, when the armaturesare at one extremity of their angularswing, one side of the plastic member 29 will engage the stop 13g andone side of the other end of this plastic member will engage the stop13h and when the armatures are at the other extremity of this angle ofswing the other sides of the member 29 will engage the stops 13e and13f.

The sides of the armature members 27 and 28 are recessed to receive theends of the central core members 15 and 17, respectively, as shown inFIG. 3. The diameters of these recesses are such that they slightlyexceed the diameters of the end portions of thesecore members l and 17so that the air gaps between the end surfaces of these core members andthe cylindrical faces of these recesses are just sufficient to permitthe armature members to rotate with respect to the ends of these coremembers and the magnetic fluxes traveling between the armature membersand these core members do not have to traverse large air gaps in theradial directions. The air gaps between the ends of the core members 15and 17 and the inner faces of the recesses in the armatures 27 and 28,respectively, are made substantially longer than the radial air gaps soas to reduce the magnetic flux traveling between these end air gaps. Theadvantage of this air gap structure is described in US. Pat. No.3,229,171 issued Jan. 11, 1966.

The rotary solenoid may be employed to provide a predetermined angle ofrotation in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. For thispurpose the shaft 18 is biased by two coil springs 35 and 36 each ofwhich have the inner end attached to the shaft 18, as shown in FIGS. 3,3a and 3b and also as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,229,170 issued Jan. 1 l,1966. These springs 35 and 36 urge the shaft rotation in oppositedirections and they normally hold the shaft so that the air gaps betweenarmatures 27 and 28 and the pole pieces of the magnetic core structures11 and 12 respectively, are in their semi-closed condition. The springs35 and 36 are positioned in the retainer 37 which has a plurality ofears 37a that extend outwardly and encompass the .springs. The body ofretainer 37 is provided with two holes to receive the screws 39 that aresupported by the core structure 12. The inner ends of springs 35 and 36are positioned in the groove 18a provided to the shaft 18 so that theseends are retained attached to the shaft.

The outer ends of springs 35 and 36 are shaped in the form of hooks 35aand 36a, respectively, so that they may be attached to selected ones ofthe ears 37a and suitable tension applied by the springs to the shaft.Thus, the armatures 27 and 28 are normally held in predeterminedpositions with respect to the core structures. In order to locate thearmatures initially with respect to the pole faces of the corestructures the inner spring 35 is attached to the shaft first and thehook 35a thereof is attached to a selected ear 38 to bring one of thearmatures to a selected position. The other spring 36 is then attachedto the shaft 18 and the hook 36a thereof is attached to a selected ear38 to rotate the shaft 18 against the tension of spring 35 and locatethe armatures at their desired normal positions which may be with theair gaps at semi-closed condition.

Thus with coil springs 35 and 36 working against each other and when thepower is off of the coils l4 and 16 the armatures 27 and 28 arepositioned at a predetermined angle from their closed air gap positions.When, for example, one of the coils 14 is energized from a suitablesource of current supply (not shown) armature 27 will be drawn into itsclosed air gap position and armature 28 will be in its open air gapposition. On the other hand, when coil 15 is energized from a source ofcurrent supply armature 28 will be drawn into its closed position andarmature 27 will be in its open air gap position. It is thereforeapparent that when coil 14 is energized the armature 27 is rotated toits closed air gap position and the shaft 18 is rotated clockwisethrough a predetermined angle whereas when the coil 16 is energized thearmature 28 is rotated into its closed air gap position and the shaft 18is rotated counterclockwise through a predetermined angle.

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it will be understood that the invention is capable ofvariation and modification from the form shown so that the scope thereofshould be limited only by the proper scope of the claims appendedhereto.

What we claim is:

I. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination comprising magnetic corestructures each having a core member with a coil adapted to be energizedselectively from a source of current supply, a shaft, means rotatablysupporting said shaft on said core structures, an armature attached tosaid shaft, said armature having an armature member operativelyassociated with the pole faces of each of said core structures, a memberof non-magnetic material spacing said core structures, said lastmentioned member having means limiting the rotation of said armature,the pole faces of one of said core structures being displaced by apredetermined angle with respect to the pole faces of another of saidcore structures so that when the coil of said one of said corestructures is energized said armature rotates said shaft in clockwisedirection through a predetermined angle and when the coil of said otherof said coil structures is energized said armature rotates said shaft incounterclockwise direction through a predetermined angle.

2. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination comprising a pair of magneticcore structures each having a core member with a coil adapted to beenergized selectivelyfrom a source of current supply, a shaft, meansrotatably supporting said shaft on said core structures, an armatureattached to said shaft, said armature having a pair of armature members,one of said members being operatively associated with the pole faces ofone of said core structures and the other of said members beingoperatively associated with the other of said core structures, saidarmature members being substantially parallel, a spacing member ofnon-magnetic material between said armature members, and means holdingsaid armature members and said spacing member assembled, the pole facesof one of said core structures being displaced by a predetermined anglewith respect to the pole faces of another of said core structures sothat when the coil of said one of said core structures is energized saidarmature rotates said shaft in clockwise direction through apredetermined angle and when the coil of said other of said coilstructures is energized said armature rotates said shaft incounterclockwise direction through a predetermined angle.

3. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination as set forth in claim 2, furthercomprising a ring of non-magnetic material spacing said core structuresand surrounding said armature spacing member, and means on said ring andon said last mentioned member limiting rotation of said armature.

4. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination as set forth in claim I, furthercom prising a pair of coil springs, means attaching the inner ends ofsaid springs to said shaft, said springs being adjusted so that theyoppose each other and normally hold the armature members at apredetermined angle from the closed air gap positions thereof, one ofsaid springs urging said shaft in the clockwise direction and the otherof said springs urging said shaft in the counterclockwise direction.

5. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination as set forth in claim 2, furthercomprising a non-magnetic member for spacing said core structures, saidnon-magnetic member being substantially circular and surrounding saidarmature, and means on said non-magnetic member for engaging said firstmentioned spacing member and limiting the rotation of said armature.

=l l l

1. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination comprising magnetic corestructures each having a core member with a coil adapted to be energizedselectively from a source of current supply, a shaft, means rotatablysupporting said shaft on said core structures, an armature attached tosaid shaft, said armature having an armature member operativelyassociated with the pole faces of each of said core structures, a memberof nonmagnetic material spacing said core structures, said lastmentioned member having means limiting the rotation of said armature,the pole faces of one of said core structures being displaced by apredetermined angle with respect to the pole faces of another of saidcore structures so that when the coil of said one of said corestructures is energized said armature rotates said shaft in clockwisedirection through a predetermined angle and when the coil of said otherof said coil structures is energized said armature rotates said shaft incounterclockwise direction through a predetermined angle.
 2. In a rotarysolenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectively clockwise andcounterclockwise through predetermined angles from a predeterminedposition, the combination comprising a pair of magnetic core structureseach having a core member with a coil adapted to be energizedselectively from a source of current supply, a shaft, means rotatablysupporting said shaft on said core structures, an armature attached tosaid shaft, said armature having a pair of armature members, one of saidmembers being operatively associated with the pole faces of one of saidcore structures and the other of said members being operativelyassociated with the other of said core structures, said armature membersbeing substantially parallel, a spacing member of non-magnetic materialbetween said armature members, and means holding said armature membersand said spacing member assembled, the pole faces of one of said corestructures being displaced by a predetermined angle with respect to thepole faces of another of said core structures so that when the coil ofsaid one of said core structures is energized said armaturE rotates saidshaft in clockwise direction through a predetermined angle and when thecoil of said other of said coil structures is energized said armaturerotates said shaft in counterclockwise direction through a predeterminedangle.
 3. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatableselectively clockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined anglesfrom a predetermined position, the combination as set forth in claim 2,further comprising a ring of non-magnetic material spacing said corestructures and surrounding said armature spacing member, and means onsaid ring and on said last mentioned member limiting rotation of saidarmature.
 4. In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatableselectively clockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined anglesfrom a predetermined position, the combination as set forth in claim 1,further comprising a pair of coil springs, means attaching the innerends of said springs to said shaft, said springs being adjusted so thatthey oppose each other and normally hold the armature members at apredetermined angle from the closed air gap positions thereof, one ofsaid springs urging said shaft in the clockwise direction and the otherof said springs urging said shaft in the counterclockwise direction. 5.In a rotary solenoid in which the shaft is rotatable selectivelyclockwise and counterclockwise through predetermined angles from apredetermined position, the combination as set forth in claim 2, furthercomprising a non-magnetic member for spacing said core structures, saidnon-magnetic member being substantially circular and surrounding saidarmature, and means on said non-magnetic member for engaging said firstmentioned spacing member and limiting the rotation of said armature.